FAQs

aquaBRIGHT™ Pool Finish was developed by ecoFinish as an alternative to traditional swimming pool finishes.

aquaBRIGHT™ Is A GREEN Eco-Friendly Product:

Less energy resources are required to manufacture, transport and install aquaBRIGHT™ compared to cementitious materials. A typical pool requires around 100 lbs of aquaBRIGHT™ material to be shipped, not tonnage as with cementitious finishes.

Chemicals required to maintain a balanced water chemistry over the life of the pool are significantly reduced; reduced chemical exposure to client and property.

aquaBRIGHT™ completely seals the pool interior-this reduces problems with water loss which is a common occurrence with cracked cementitious finishes.

Strict manufacture purity requirements govern the fabrication of the aquaBRIGHT™ material and, should it ever be removed from the pool, it is considered recyclable.

No end-of-project leftover waste to be disposed in landfills, as is with every cementitious finish which can be as much as hundreds of pounds.

Westmount Quebec courtesy Poseidon Pools

pH Neutral Surface

Unlike plaster or other cementitious surfaces, aquaBRIGHT™ is inert; it does not react with the water chemistry.

Any chemicals added to the water in an aquaBRIGHT™ pool adjust the chemistry of the water and only the water. Cementitious surfaces below the aquaBRIGHT™ finish are safely sealed from water (chemical) contact.

No calcium leaching can occur and the pH is easier to balance. Simple.

A 1991 scientific research report published by the School of Building Construction at the University of Florida stated “The deterioration of marcite (plaster) has been found to be chemically related and due primarily to leaching of Calcium hydroxide (portlandite) from localized areas of pool plaster. Acidic pool water (pH less than 7.0) can wreak havoc on marcite and pool plumbing resulting in etching and staining. Proposed solutions to control the damage aggressive water can produce include (1) paying careful attention to water chemistry to avoid unbalanced water conditions and (2) providing a chemically inert barrier between the pool water and the marcite surface.”

In 1991, there was no such thing as a 'barrier solution'.

Requires Less Chemicals

Chemical reactions between the water and the cementitious surfaces cause a constant shift in pH levels. Pools finished with aquaBRIGHT™ have no chemical reactions. aquaBright is a barrier solution. Commercial pool owners report they experience an approximately 40% savings in annual chemical consumption for the same pools now finished with aquaBRIGHT™.

The target chemical balance for a pool finished in aquaBRIGHT™ is simplified. Pool owners will find it very easy to maintain the proper pH and chlorine levels as the major cause of pH drift is now eliminated. Adding chemicals is safer and easier now that there is no reason to pre-dilute acid by mixing it with water prior to pouring into the pool.

Before and After Photos Scarborough Bluffs Pool courtesy BonaVista Pools

Chemical Resistant

aquaBRIGHT™ is manufactured from the same polymer resin as the jugs that store pool chemicals. In fact, aquaBRIGHT™ is so impervious to chemical attack that even pouring straight Muriatic pool acid directly onto the finish - allowing it to remain for 10 minutes and, after washing it off, there is no visible evidence of the acid having any effect on the surface.

Soft Feel Surface

aquaBRIGHT™ was intentionally engineered to be a soft-feeling material. The surface can best be described as an orange peel texture which feels spa-like to swimmer’s feet. Cementitious finishes such as plaster and quartz, on the other hand, may begin as smooth finishes but degrade over time into rough finishes that can be very abrasive on feet. Pebble finishes- even polished stone versions- are never really easy on the feet due to their bumpy surface.

Stain Resistant

aquaBRIGHT™ material is manufactured and processed into a fine powder applied by the EcoFinish thermal process. These powder particles are propelled through the flame gun, liquefied; as they flatten out they create a chemical bond to the pool surface. As the process continues more material is applied, the particles melt, flatten out and join other melted particles to flow together to form a complete layer.

There are no pores for algae, calcium, rust, or other staining agents to grab onto or imbed into. Most discoloration that would normally be a permanent stain in a plaster pool is easily brushed off of the aquaBRIGHT™ finish.

Crack Resistant

aquaBright on Steel Panel...no other pool finish bends like this!

aquaBRIGHT™ pool finish is high performance. aquaBRIGHT™ is a durable, lasting and highly flexible polymeric material that will stretch 200% before it ruptures or tears. It remains flexible at very cold temperatures, although at a lesser degree. Results of testing conducted over a Canadian winter in Ontario ( temperatures reaching -40 degrees) showed no detrimental effects to the aquaBRIGHT™ finish which was applied to two steel pool wall panels bolted together. No cracking was observed-even over the joined seam of the panels.

During installation, small craze cracks in an existing pool finish will be covered by the aquaBRIGHT™ finish. Larger cracks, including structural cracking, require repair by industry accepted methods such as epoxy injection, hydraulic cement, and/or staples.

The aquaBRIGHT™ installation is then applied. Due to the flexibility of the aquaBRIGHT™ finish, minor cracks which may continue to form should remain hidden below as the aquaBRIGHT™ stretches over the top. Cracks that appear through aquaBRIGHT™ represent potentially serious structural issues and may require major repairs be completed on the pool, however, if this is the case, it is easier to repair and match aquaBRIGHT™ following these repairs than other finishes.

Chip, Flake, Peel and Chalk Resistant

aquaBRIGHT™ is manufactured using a polymeric resin that is engineered to withstand exterior exposure for many years without any breakdown in chemical structure.

aquaBRIGHT™ is approved for installation in swimming pools and spas heated up to 104° F and is resistant to blistering, chalking, peeling, cracking and deterioration through normal use unlike vinyl and fiberglass materials that deteriorate over time.

aquaBRIGHT™ remains a soft and flexible material and will remain a single cohesive polymeric layer that remains well bonded to the pool surface.

Color Uniformity

Now Hybrid Pools Will Have Colour Uniformity Throughout including matching fiberglass steps courtesy Vinyl Masters

Cementitious finishes use dyes to colour the finish. These dyes are added to the plaster material mix prior to installation and are continuously exposed to pool water chemistry on and below the surface which results in a non-uniform color change appearing as patches or blotches of bleached out color-this reaction is known as mottling and usually occurs over time and/or may occur following the new finish start-up process. It is generally more prevalent and easier to distinguish with the darker dyed finishes.

aquaBRIGHT™ installations are designed to have a uniform color and pattern over the entire surface of the pool. aquaBRIGHT™ pigments are encapsulated in the polymer resin during the manufacturing process; the darkest aquaBRIGHT™ finish will not react with the pool chemistry, will not mottle and will not noticeably change color over time. Hybrid Pools with a variety of different surfaces will now have colour continuity throughout the entire swimming pool.

Scale Resistance

Scale build-up on a pool’s surface is typically attributed to two factors:

Free calcium suspended in the water which attaches itself to the pool finish

Calcium leaching onto the pool finish from water or rock features above the waterline.

Water chemistry plays a critical role in scaling due to free calcium- a high pH will actually cause the free calcium to become chemically attracted to a cementitious finish. Regardless of the method of build-up, once deposited onto a cementitious finish, the scale becomes chemically and physically bonded with the surface.

Because scale and the cementitious finish are both calcium based, they will bond and become one. Removal of scale is only accomplished by acid washing the pool-this chemically burns the calcium off the surface and, in turn, removes some of the finish as well. Care must be taken not to over-expose the cementitious finishes to acid or too much of the finish will be removed which leaves a rough and gritty surface.

aquaBRIGHT™ finish is not a porous physical surface and calcium will not adhere as is not chemically attractive to calcium. Any calcium leaching that may occur from a water feature will not adhere and can either be picked off or simply removed using a “stain erasure” on the end of a brush handle.

Fade Resistant

In addition to using only exterior grade colored pigments, aquaBRIGHT™ is formulated to provide outstanding U.V. protection and color stability. Real world pool environment testing ranging from the frozen north to very hot desert climates shows the aquaBRIGHT™ finish to be extremely fade resistant over time.

Additionally, outstanding results from long duration QUV Accelerated Weathering Testing confirms the ability of aquaBRIGHT™ to withstand the effects of exposure to U.V. sunlight. aquaBRIGHT™ color finish will look vibrant and colorful for many years to come.

Slip Resistance

All current use pool surfaces are naturally slip resistant with the exception of fiberglass; this surface tends to feel very slippery- especially on sloped depth transitions.

aquaBRIGHT™ pool finish has an orange peellike surface and is inherently slip resistant.

The aquaBRIGHT™ finish can be applied to step treads, bench tops and beach entries in such a way as to increase slip resistance to very safe levels using a slightly different application technique.

Anti-Slip Application of aquaBright to Commercial Water Park Exit Area

An aquaBRIGHT™ finish was recently applied to a USA SeaWorld water park facility. the finish was tested by SeaWorld Health, Safety, and Environmental Engineering to determine if the slip resistance (coefficient of friction) met their standards.

Commercial Water Park aquaBright Anti Slip Application

Utilizing specialized equipment, the finish was tested in the wet condition with the minimum acceptable slip resistance being equal to that of a wet concrete surface. aquaBRIGHT™ was measured to be two full points (on their standard scale) over the minimum standard and was deemed to be very safe for their patrons.

Outstanding Adhesion

Cementitious pool finishes do not provide an impermeable, waterproof surface and (with all the unbalanced water chemistry reasons previously discussed) may degrade not only on the surface but, also on the pool’s interior.

Over time, delamination within a plaster surface can begin to form; instead of the one thick layer, originally applied, this thick layer gradually splits into two layers. When water begins to fill between these layers they form hollow spots. These may appear as bulges in the pools surface and, if left unrepaired, will eventually break out or pop off the top layer of plaster leaving a distinct missing plaster area on the pool surface.

Pebble finishes are adhered to the surface in a cementitious mortar matrix which is also subject to poor water chemistry degradation over time.

aquaBRIGHT™ is an impermeable waterproof surface; it provides a protective barrier from degradation due to poor water chemistry for cementitious based materials.

The bond strength of the aquaBRIGHT™ finish to an existing plaster finish was tested: it excels at over 800 psi. When the surface finally released, a cone-shaped plug of plaster one inch thick, popped out with the aquaBRIGHT™ finish still attached.

No Complicated Start Up

Cementitious pool finishes require some type of start-up process ranging from continuous brushing and backwashing (to clear suspended plaster chalk from the water) to “hot starts” which require acid washing and chemical additives to expose aggregates and create the desired appearance of the finishes.

These start-up processes are absolutely critical to the final appearance and longevity of the cementitious finish and may take a week or more to complete; if done improperly, or neglected even to a slight degree, the finish will be affected.

Finished Pool Toronto courtesy BonaVista Pools

Pool builders understand the critical requirements of start-up and, may choose to absorb the cost by providing a person to perform the labor and, monitor the process. Others instruct the pool owner on how to do this and leave the start up in their care. The final outcome will determine the appearance and longevity of the surface (mottling, bleaching, over/under exposed) The pool owners still cannot use their completed pools for over a week.

With an aquaBRIGHT™ finish… there is literally nothing to do except “Balance and Swim”. Just fill the pool, balance the water chemistry and swim in crystal clear water. Best thing…pools and spas may be heated immediately after filling.

Repairable

Damage happens. Whether it’s from natural or human causes, damage to a pool’s surface does occur. These imperfections can range from minor craze cracking, chipping and abrasions, to delamination, gouges and structural cracks.

Repairs to a cementitious pool finish are difficult- so much so, that pools typically remain unrepaired until it’s time for a complete remodel or resurfacing. Cementitious and/or fiberglass surfaces can develop small cracks; when aquaBRIGHT™ is applied over these surfaces, it remains intact and will assist in vanishing these minor imperfections from sight.

If an aquaBRIGHT™ finished pool experiences structural damage or requires major repairs to the pools underlying shell, the pool is drained and the aquaBRIGHT™ finish is cut back by approximately two inches around the damaged area.

Following the structural repair, the aquaBRIGHT™ surface is reapplied over the repaired area and blended into the surrounding finish utilizing the EcoFinish thermal spray equipment. Any minor cosmetic damage is repaired by simply reheating and melting the material to heal any gouges and/or cuts and then the glossy finish is restored.

Water Slide Finish

Commercial Water Park Slide Coat Application

aquaBRIGHT™ in its standard application, has a naturally slip resistant property; this can be enhanced to provide outstanding slip resistance for steps and benches. Adversely, aquaBRIGHT™ can also be applied to concrete and fiberglass waterslides to create a slippery glossy surface finish that now also matches the interior of the pool.

Cement water slides require an acrylic sealer or paint to be applied to create the slippery surface which typically only last from one to two years. Fiberglass slides exposed to the sun begin to chalk and become less slippery.

aquaBRIGHT™ will retain its color and appearance for many years; if it does become less glossy and less slippery, it can easily be re-glossed or even have additional material added without the need to remove the existing aquaBRIGHT™.

Residential Slide Coat Application courtesy of ecoFinish

Use Above the Waterline

Unlike cementitious pool finishes, aquaBRIGHT™ may be used on areas above the waterline and remain resistant to cracking or fading. aquaBRIGHT™ is suitable for always wet, sometimes wet and never wet applications on the pool surfaces and its features.

Pool tile can now be eliminated by applying the aquaBRIGHT™ finish up to the coping.

Vanishing edges and the backside of vanishing edges can now be finished with aquaBRIGHT™ to provide a matching finish throughout.

Exposed bond beams that are never wet are candidates for an aquaBRIGHT™ surface.

Magog Quebec courtesy Beton Decorum

Colour Selection

aquaBRIGHT™ comes in eleven different designer colours ranging from commercial pool white to very dark blues and blacks. All aquaBRIGHT™ colours are a blend of several different hues to create speckled finishes in variations of white, brown, blue or grey/black tones. ecoFinish welcomes customer requests for custom colours as well.

Custom Colors, Stencils & More

Cementitious pool finishes may be varied with dyes; this to change the entire surface color of the pool and for only that one specific color.

Clients are able to have aquaBRIGHT™ made to order in virtually any color desired with ecoFinish’s custom color service. In the Interior Design Industry material and pattern choices and colors are intentionally highlighted throughout a room…now Pool Designers can choose to accentuate a single colour or several colours in the design scheme of the pool, its features and the surrounding hardscape.

Custom colours are available and range from a specifically varied shade or tone to personalized wild solid colors similar to those used in waterparks and kid’s splash pads. Colors may be matched from a physical sample, a color swatch, or RAL color code provided by the customer.